[Today’s K-pop] Kang Daniel to return next month with 5th EP

Kang Daniel announced new music to come in September via his agency Ara on Friday. A trailer for EP “Act” was uploaded the same day, giving fans an up-close look at the performer, along with several mysterious scenes, including an old television with static and an empty chair. The video clip only included the release month of the mini album with a date. The upcoming release comes about 15 months since his fourth EP, “Realiez.” The former member of boy band Wanna One marke

Aug. 30, 2024

Former Ador CEO Min rejects producing NewJeans, Hybe keeps door open

Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of Hybe-owned label Ador, has rejected the company’s offer to continue as the producer of NewJeans during the remaining two months of her contract. On Friday, Min, through her public relations agency Macoll Consulting Group, released a statement saying, “Hybe’s announcement that Min would continue to work with NewJeans, as reported on Tuesday, was never agreed upon.” Min was offered a business delegation agreement to produce NewJeans from Aug.

Aug. 30, 2024

'Past Lives' star Yoo Teo cast as lead in Hollywood film 'Karoshi'

South Korean actor Yoo Teo, acclaimed for his performance in the Oscar-nominated romance drama "Past Lives" (2023), has been officially cast as the lead in the upcoming Hollywood action thriller "Karoshi." "Karoshi" is written and directed by US filmmaker Takashi Doscher, who is known for his award-winning thriller "Still" (2018). The film is produced by 87eleven Action Design, a US production company popular for producing multiple hit action flicks such a

Aug. 30, 2024

[Herald Interview] Hanna Kiel's 'BODY' to explore chaotic harmony in cross-cultural dance collaboration at SIDance

When choreographer Hanna Kiel begins her creative process, she doesn’t hand out steps or sequences to her dancers. Instead, she assigns tasks. The dancers interpret these assignments through movement, and then Kiel guides and shapes the final choreography. For example, she might ask the dancers to describe their most physically or mentally challenging experiences. One dancer might express the agony and frustration of rehabilitating from a back injury, while another might channel the franti

Aug. 30, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Alien: Romulus” (US) Opened Aug. 14 Horror/Sci-fi Directed by Fede Alvarez Set in 2142, a group of young space colonizers go out for an adventure and land in a derelict space station, only to face the most terrifying life-form in the universe while scavenging the deep ends of a closed-down space. “Twisters” (US) Opened Aug. 14 Action/Adventure Directed by Lee Isaac Chung Retired tornado chaser and meteorologist Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is persuaded to return to Oklah

Aug. 30, 2024

Le Sserafim looks to bounce back from Coachella incident with new album

K-pop girl group Le Sserafim of Souce Music returns with its 4th mini-album “Crazy” on Friday, six months after the release of the mini-album “Easy” in February. “Crazy” delivers a message to “go wild just once with Le Sserafim,” and features a variety of genres, including electronic dance music (EDM)-based house music and techno. The album includes five tracks: the title track "Crazy," "Chasing Lightning," "Pierrot,"

Aug. 30, 2024

Sam Smith releases new edition of 'I'm Not The Only One' featuring K-pop diva Taeyeon

Sam Smith released a new version of his smash-hit title "I'm Not The Only One" featuring K-pop star Taeyeon as a project for the 10th anniversary of his debut album, his label said Thursday. "I'm Not The Only One" is a track on the British pop star's debut album, In The Lonely Hour, released in 2014. Taeyeon, a member of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation, participated in the 10th anniversary edition of the song, singing parts of the song in Korean, acco

Aug. 29, 2024

[Herald Review] Tori Kelly thrills fans, hints her love for Korean artists

American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly thrilled fans with her unrivaled charisma and voice. The 31-year-old singer held her first concert in Korea, titled "Tori Kelly Live in Seoul," at the Myunghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday, as part of her world tour "Purple Skies." Initially scheduled for April 2020, the concert was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making Tuesday's gig her first performance in the country. In a written interview with The Kore

Aug. 29, 2024

Listeners encouraged to go wild with Le Sserafim's 4th EP

Girl group Le Sserafim returned Thursday with its fourth EP, titled "Crazy," urging listeners to pour their passion into whatever makes their hearts race. "Crazy" marks the K-pop quintet's new release six months after its third EP, "Easy," which was released in February. The band made its debut on the coveted Billboard Hot 100 with the album's main track. "The new album's message is simple and clear: Let's go crazy with Le Sserafim,"

Aug. 29, 2024

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin to weigh ‘multiple options’ with NewJeans

Former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin is uncertain about her continued work with NewJeans under Hybe following the dismissal from her position at Ador on Tuesday. “Min is considering various options (regarding her continued involvement in producing NewJeans). It is difficult to provide further details at this time,” an official from Macoll Consulting Group, Min’s public relations agency, told The Korea Herald on Thursday. On Tuesday, Hybe announced the appointment of Kim Ju-young, an i

Aug. 29, 2024

Former NCT member Taeil questioned by police over sexual assault allegations

Taeil, formerly of K-pop boy band NCT, was questioned by police Wednesday on sexual assault allegations, according to SM Entertainment. The agency and the artist first became aware of the allegations in mid-August, said SM Entertainment in a press release Thursday, without disclosing specific details of the allegations. On Wednesday evening, SM revealed that Taeil, 30, had been accused of a sexual offense and, in light of the seriousness of the situation, it had decided to remove him from the gr

Aug. 29, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] EXO’s Chanyeol tops iTunes chart in 51 regions

Chanyeol of EXO proved himself a formidable soloist, placing his first solo album atop the iTunes Top Albums chart in 51 regions, according to label SM Entertainment on Thursday. His first solo EP “Black Out” also claimed the top spot on several music charts in Korea and China. The mini-album comprises six tracks including the titular track and “I’m on your side too,” for which the veteran idol participated in writing the lyrics. On Sept. 6-7, he will host a solo

Aug. 29, 2024

29th BIFF selects 12 world premiere films of emerging directors

The 29th Busan International Film Festival announced Thursday 12 selections for the “Korean Cinema Today -- Vision” section, which premieres indie films of up-and-coming independent film directors in Korea. A world premiere in this section has been regarded as a stepping stone for garnering attention in the domestic and international film industries, as the films go through official release at cinemas here or receive invitations to prestigious international film festivals. The select

Aug. 29, 2024

EXO Chanyeol makes solo debut with 1st EP ‘Black Out’

Chanyeol of the K-pop group EXO debuted as a soloist with his first mini-album "Black Out" Wednesday. “It’s been 12 years since I debuted as a member of EXO. Now, I’m happy to get to show something new as a solo artist,” said Chanyeol at a press conference the same day. The album blends newness brought by its diverse genres with Chanyeol's way of evoking strong feelings through his vocals. The album features six tracks, including the title song "Black

Aug. 29, 2024

Katseye gains momentum as streaming interest grows in US

Katseye, the global girl group launched via a collaboration between Hybe and Geffen Records, has been gaining significant popularity in the US, coinciding with the release of a documentary on the group's formation on Netflix. After the eight-part documentary series "Pop Star Academy: Katseye" was released on Aug. 21 on Netflix, there has been a surge in buzz surrounding Katseye in the US, according to Hybe on Wednesday. "Pop Star Academy" highlights the process of select

Aug. 28, 2024

[Today’s K-pop] Blackpink’s Lisa enters Billboard Hot 100 at No. 97

Lisa of Blackpink hit the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 97 with “New Woman,” her collaboration with Spanish pop star Rosalia. It is her fourth entry on the main singles chart following “LaLisa” and “Money” from her namesake album released in 2021. The two songs ranked No. 84 and No. 90, respectively. Her last single “Rockstar” from June, claimed No. 70 on the chart. On Wednesday, the artist shared the news on her Instagram that “New Woman” w

Aug. 28, 2024

Blues musicians across generations to gather at blues festival

Korea's premier blues festival is set to take place in Seoul next month. The 2024 Seoul International Blues Festival, which brings together top-tier blues musicians in Korea, will be held from Sept. 20 to 22 at CKL Stage in Jung-gu, Seoul. Now in its 7th year, the festival will feature blues musicians representing every generation, from the first wave of Korean blues to millennials and Gen Z. The first day of the festival presents a special collaborative performance titled "All-Star Bl

Aug. 28, 2024

Dark side of AfreecaTV, livestreamers in Korea

With the recent news of numerous AfreecaTV livestreamers -- commonly known here as "BJs" -- being arrested for drug use and accused of engaging in group sexual activities making waves, a spotlight has been shone on their conduct. As livestreamers become increasingly successful in the entertainment market, pop-culture experts call to attention the circumstances that make livestreamers on AfreecaTV, the country’s largest one-person streaming platform, vulnerable to crime. Explosi

Aug. 28, 2024

[Exclusive] Samsung unsure of Suga's future as brand ambassador: source

Amid the ongoing controversy over K-pop star Suga’s drunk driving incident, Samsung Electronics is considering not extending its brand ambassador contract with the singer. “There is a risk in promoting someone as a brand ambassador who has caused a social controversy, regardless of the person's fandom. It is a serious matter and requires a lot of careful consideration,” a source familiar with the situation told The Korea Herald Tuesday on condition of anonymity. Samsung will no

Aug. 28, 2024

Min Hee-jin objects to dismissal from Ador CEO position

Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of the K-pop agency Ador representing girl group NewJeans, has raised objections to her recent dismissal. In a statement issued through her legal representative Shin & Kim, Min argued that the decision to remove her as Ador CEO was "unilateral" and in direct violation of the shareholder agreement and court injunction prohibiting the exercise of Hybe’s voting rights to dismiss Min during a shareholders' meeting. The shareholder agreement stipul

Aug. 28, 2024